Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Ex Vivo Infection of Live Tissue with Oncolytic Viruses
Published on: June 25, 2011
Oncolytic viruses
1Molecular Neuro-Oncology Laboratories, Neurosurgery Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, East Building, 13th Street, Bldg 149, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA. chioccahelix.mgh.harvard.edu.
Abstract:
Although the cytotoxic effects of viruses are usually viewed in terms of pathogenicity, it is possible to harness this activity for therapeutic purposes. Viral genomes are highly versatile, and can be modified to direct their cytotoxicity towards cancer cells. These viruses are known as oncolytic viruses. How are viruses engineered to become tumour specific, and can they be used to safely treat cancer in humans?
Related Concept Videos
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Tumor Immunotherapy

